Ashley Turner-Contributor

Ashley Turner

Contributor

January, 2026
Writer & narrative games journalist. Advocate for legacy game preservation & interactive storytelling. First-gen college grad.
JRPG, Narrative, RPG
  • 126
    articles
  • 118
    News
  • 8
    Features

About Ashley Turner

Ashley has been writing about video games professionally for over eight years, but her path into gaming journalism wasn't exactly a straight line. She grew up playing games and got a Nintendo 64 when she was about 10, immediately falling in love with Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Over the years, she collected consoles like they were going out of style: Super Nintendo, Xbox 360, and every PlayStation from PS2 through PS5.

But honestly? Her gaming interest kind of faded for a while. Then in college, she met a friend who handed her Dragon Quest VIII and said "just try it." That was her first JRPG, and it completely reignited her passion for games. She realized she didn't just want to play them. She wanted to write about them, talk about them, and share that enthusiasm with other people who get it.

Since then, Ashley has written for PopCulture.com, ComicBook.com, Business Insider, and TheWrap, covering everything from breaking news to feature stories about how games shape (and are shaped by) pop culture. Her work spans the full spectrum of gaming content: reviews, news coverage, cultural analysis, and the kind of evergreen pieces that help players get the most out of their favorite titles.

She has a Master's in International Media from American University and a Bachelor's in Mass Communications from VCU, which sounds fancy but really just means she's spent a lot of time thinking critically about how we tell stories, whether that's through traditional media or interactive experiences.

At the end of the day, Ashley writes about games because she genuinely loves them. She's not chasing world-first raids or 2,000-hour playtime milestones. She's just someone who's been playing for decades, who understands what makes a game click, and who wants to help other players discover their next favorite experience.

Industry Focus

RPGs, JRPGs, and narrative-driven games with a particular emphasis on storytelling, character development, and world-building. I'm drawn to games that prioritize player choice and emotional impact, but I'm equally passionate about chronicling gaming and internet culture more broadly. I love exploring the sociological aspects of gaming communities, tracking how games intersect with larger cultural movements, and finding unique angles on stories that might otherwise fly under the radar. Whether it's examining how a game tackles complex themes or uncovering the human stories behind the pixels, I'm always looking for the narrative thread that makes a topic worth talking about.

Favorite Games

The Mass Effect trilogy, Dragon Age series, the Persona series, Final Fantasy, and Elden Ring. I also enjoy indie narrative experiences like What Remains of Edith Finch and games that experiment with storytelling mechanics.

Favorite Console

PlayStation 5, though I have a soft spot for my Nintendo Switch for portable gaming and Nintendo's first-party titles. The PS5's library and performance have made it my go-to for recent releases.

Latest

Steam Machine gets priced by analyst
Known Industry Analyst Predicts Steam Machine Price

A video game market analyst shares a surprising new retail price prediction for the highly anticipated Steam Machine console.

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New Xbox Boss Issues Warning

A new executive takes charge of the Xbox brand and warns employees about incoming updates, improvements and structural changes.

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Old School RuneScape Shows Off a Packed Summer 2026 Roadmap

Old School Runescape outlines an extensive new software roadmap as the developer teams prepare to debut some big fantasy adventures.

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Watch This Former NFL Coach Struggle to Pronounce Pokemon Names

A famous NFL coach tries his best but totally fumbles when trying to say the super weird names of several famous Pokemon critters.

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China Reveals New Gaming GPU, Could Challenge NVIDIA

A new Chinese GPU recently lands on store shelves as independent manufacturers attempt to challenge NVIDIA in the graphics market.

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Take-Two Plans Multiple Sequels, Remakes For The Next Few Years

Take-Two Interactive outlines a major multi-year roadmap as development teams prepare to debut several anticipated projects for the future.

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Star Wars Jedi 3: Lucasfilm Reconfirms More Cal Kestis Stories Are Coming

Popular Star Wars character Cal Kestis steps back into the galactic spotlight as production details confirm that his upcoming adventures continue.

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Coco Gauff's Latest Run Shows Tennis Games Are Wasting a Golden Opportunity

Coco Gauff’s Italian Open success shows how out of step tennis games feel, and why the sport’s biggest opening in years is still unexplored.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Getting Official New Release in June 2026

A new official experience in Cyberpunk 2077's neon-lit atmosphere arrives and captures the gritty essence of a dark future world.

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Randy Pitchford Comments on AI Controversy

Gearbox head Randy Pitchford addresses a surge of online friction as he attempts to clarify his personal views on the controversial use of AI.

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Xbox Game Pass Reveals Massive Lineup for May 2026

A massive collection of new titles enters the Xbox Game Pass library as players get ready to dive into a wide variety of adventures.

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A Long-Awaited Fallout Release Is Coming in July

A beloved piece of the Fallout wasteland prepares for its highly anticipated return this July as fans look to expand their official collections.

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It's Officially the End of an Era for GTA Online

Grand Theft Auto Online now approaches a massive crossroad as players across the world get ready to move on from a memorable event.

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Valve Boss Gabe Newell Donated Over $20 Million to OpenAI

The head of Valve, Gabe Newell, backs the future of advanced software with a very significant and previously private multi-million dollar donation.

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Amazon lists PS5 Red Dead Redemption pre-order
Red Dead Redemption PS5 Physical Edition is Now Official

Red Dead Redemption prepares for its brand new physical release as fans look for a fresh way to finally own this famous outlaw story.

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GTA 6 Marketing is Starting Soon, Says Take-Two CEO

One of the most anticipated sequels in history moves closer to its reveal as the beginning of a huge GTA 6 promotional wave is imminent.

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GreedFall, Steelrising Developer Spiders is Shutting Down

A talented group of developers says goodbye to their shared history as the veteran AA developer Spiders enters its final days.

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Resident Evil Requiem Story DLC Gets Encouraging Update

The creative team behind Resident Evil Requiem shares some very welcome news about what lies ahead for the massive horror title.

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Final Fantasy 7 Fans Spot Sephiroth in Unexpected Advertisement

Legendary gaming antagonist Sephiroth trades his usual destructive tendencies for a very refreshing and unexpected promotional role in a brand new ad.

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Steam Controller Price, Release Date, and Specs Officially Revealed

Valve finally breaks its silence on its latest gamepad as it prepares to drop into the competitive hardware market very soon.

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